UNRWA Commissioner-General appeals to the Arab region to provide support to Palestine Refugees during his visit to Egypt
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, concluded an official visit to Cairo from 4 - 6 September, during which he met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Egyptian Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Sameh Shoukry. The Commissioner-General highlighted the critical situation of Palestine refugees and the Agency’s financial crisis, and discussed ways to mobilize sustainable support.
During the meetings, Mr. Lazzarini commended the steadfast political support of Egypt and the League of Arab States to Palestine refugees and UNRWA and briefed his interlocutors on the deteriorating conditions of Palestine refugees across the region. The Commissioner-General called for continued Arab solidarity with Palestine refugees, especially during this mandate renewal year. In particular, he called on Arab donor partners to continue supporting UNRWA, in line with their usual generosity, which has contributed to one of the most successful human development stories of the region.
The Commissioner-General was invited to address the opening meeting of the Council of the League of Arab States at the ministerial level, during which he reiterated that the rights and well-being of Palestine refugees were a collective responsibility, until there is a fair and lasting solution to their plight.
"But it requires adequate resources to implement the mandate that this region, and most of the world, gives it,” said Mr. Lazzarini. “Political support - without matching financial resources - will not cover the cost of 700 schools, 140 health centres, and food and cash assistance for over two million poor and conflict-affected Palestine refugees.”
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
